Update: Jon Jones Allegedly Tests Positive for Steroids

According to a report on TMZ Sports, Jon Jones has been stripped of his Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title for allegedly testing positive for steroids. The UFC has denied stripping Jones of the promotion's 205-pound title.

Jones regained his championship belt at UFC 214 in July after knocking out arch rival Daniel Cormier in the third round. His head kick and punches knockout was sensational and the ultra-talented, yet maligned champion’s new reign has been cut short.

According to the report, Jones allegedly tested positive for Turinabol, an anabolic steroid. This is the second time in his career that “Bones” has been accused of failing a USADA drug screen; the first time was in 2016 just days before UFC 200. This time, though, the Jackson-Wink MMA star could be banned from competition for as long as four years.

“We are all at a complete loss for words right now. Jon, his trainers, his nutritionists and his entire camp have worked tirelessly and meticulously the past 12 months to avoid this exact situation,” read a statement from team Jones. “We are having the samples tested again to determine the validity or source of contamination. Jon is crushed by this news and we are doing whatever we can as a team, to support him.”

On Wednesday evening, the UFC released a statement of its own regarding Jones:

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Jon Jones of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an in-competition sample collected following his weigh-in on July 28, 2017.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Jones, as it relates to the UFC Anti-Doping Policy and future UFC participation. Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed the day before Jones’ bout at UFC 214 in Anaheim, CA, and USADA will work to ensure that the CSAC has the necessary information to determine its proper judgment of Jones’ potential anti-doping violation.

Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.